Three-time Japanese batting champ added to free-agent pool

The Tokyo Yakult Swallows announced Thursday they will post three-time Central League batting champion Norichika Aoki.

Aoki, 29, is a left-handed hitting center fielder who won the 2010 league batting title with a .358 average.

Once Aoki is posted, Major League Baseball teams have four days to submit sealed bids. Once the Swallows accept the high bid, the selected team has 30 days to reach a deal with Aoki.

Aoki will be represented in the United States by agent Nez Balelo and CAA Sports.

Aoki has drawn some comparisons to Philadelphia's Shane Victorino -- a Gold Glove center fielder with a high average and extra-base power. Aoki is a five-time Gold Glove award winner (2006-10), and he earned 2005 Central League rookie of the year honors with a .344 batting average and 202 hits in 144 games.

Aoki led the league with 41 stolen bases in 2006, and he has had an on-base percentage and slugging percentage higher than .350 in every season since 2005.

Aoki batted .324 (12-for-37) with a team-high seven RBIs in nine games for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.